Geje Eustaquio Thrives On The Pressure Of His Historic Trilogy Match

When Geje “Gravity” Eustaquio sets foot on the ONE Championship stage to compete, the Filipino superstar is the picture of composure.

His past three bouts have been in the main event in front of thousands of screaming fans, with high stakes – two had World Titles on the line.

“Gravity’s” experience under the spotlight on the global stage for martial arts has allowed him to learn to cope with the pressure that comes with such huge match-ups, and he rose to the occasion to become the ONE Flyweight World Champion.

However, the Team Lakay representative admits there are still plenty of thoughts running through his mind each time he takes on a new challenge – he just has to make sure they do not affect him.

“It’s normal for athletes to feel pressure because there is an expectation from coaches, teammates, and fans for us competitors to win and perform to the best of our ability,” he explains.

“Pressure is a mental weight that we have to carry and deal with prior and during our matches. It will either make you or break you.

“I handle pressure by remembering the dreams that I want to achieve. By simply going to the gym, it gives me an assurance that all will be well.”

The 29-year-old from Baguio City, Philippines is always prepared, through countless hours of training, to meet the physical demands at the top level in the Home Of Martial Arts. That means he does not need to worry about whether his body can cope with any trial in the cage.

But according to Eustaquio, what has helped him the most in his professional career has been the way he approaches the mental aspect of his preparation.

“I do a lot of visualization to prepare for my fights, so I’m mentally prepared as well as physically prepared,” he explains.

“When I get in there, I’ve studied my opponent, I’ve dreamed about my opponent, and I’ve seen my opponent in my head several times before the fight even starts.”

He chalks his success in this aspect of the mixed martial arts game up to a simple philosophy of treating pressure as a training partner.

That, Eustaquio says, has helped to open his eyes to a different way of viewing something that other athletes may see as a burden.

“Sometimes, pressure makes good champions see the positives,” he adds.

“It is very hard to keep away from the negativity, but true champions take the negatives and turn them into positives.”

“Gravity” will take on the most imposing challenge of his career against a reinvigorated former World Champion on 25 January, when Brazil’s Adriano “Mikinho” Moraes tries to win back the flyweight gold in the first trilogy bout in ONE Championship history.

The contest will serve as the main event of ONE: HERO’S ASCENT at the 20,000-capacity Mall Of Asia Arena in Manila, Philippines.

Both men share a win in their rivalry so far, and after a close rematch at ONE: PINNACLE OF POWER last June – where Eustaquio won via razor-thin split decision – this clash could settle the series once and for all, as well as determine the undisputed ONE Flyweight World Champion.

Despite the task at hand and the weight of expectation on his shoulders, Eustaquio maintains he will not feel any stress when he enters the cage in front of his countrymen.

His only concern is based in his gym in the weeks before the bout. Once his training camp is done, and he is ready to lock horns with the most dominant World Champion in his weight class’ history, he can relax, and show millions of martial arts fans around the world why he deserves to wear the belt over his shoulder.

“I have fought Adriano twice. For me, the pressure is not about winning or losing to a talented athlete like him,” he says.

“The pressure is all about getting better for our upcoming fight.

“I am ready to show the world my development and the new things I learned in the span of six months.”